I was reading Emerson: The Mind on Fire and came across this passage:
Coleridge notes that there are four kinds of readers: the hourglass, the sponge, the jelly bag, and the Golconda. In the first everything that runs in runs right out again. The sponge gives out all it took in, only a little dirtier. The jelly bag keeps only the refuse. The Golconda runs everything through a sieve and keeps only the diamonds. Emerson was not a systematic reader, but he had a genius for skimming and a comprehensive system for taking notes. Most of the time he was the pure Golconda, what miners call a high-grader, working his way rapidly through vast mines of material and pocketing the richest bits.
So there we have it, Emerson was a Slave of Golconda. Didn’t know the reading group had such illustrious former members. If you’d like to join up, we’re in the midst of picking our next book.
That’s about all the energy I have today. Nasty head cold. I need to get me some sniffling sneezing coughing so I can rest medicine.
Feel better soon!
There are many other illustrious former members, some whose names cannot be revealed. During the middle ages membership most likely meant death, so the Slaves had to keep a low profile. Pope Silvester III was deposed because of his alleged membership. In some areas there is still a stigma attached to the group, and so certain people wish to have their affiliation kept secret.
“a comprehensive system for taking notes”????????
*INTJ ears perk up*
Get well soon!
Hope you feel better soon! Love the quote by Coleridge… perhaps I might become a slave too, or wait… I am already one!
What a great find. Hope you feel better soon!
Take care of yourself!
I enjoyed reading the explanation. I wish I was a Golconda, but I fear I am more like a sponge made of jelly beans.
Sorry to hear you’re ill. Everyone seems to have something right now. Feel better soon! Love the quote by the way!
Stefanie – I feel for you! My throat is better but the general malaise lingers on. That’s to say, I’m also feeling sorry for myself. But I’m cheered at the thought of Emerson as a slave. I’ve joined up too, and am feeling very honoured to be in such illustrious company!
Thanks for the well wishes. Health is returning.
Quillhill, thanks for the slice of Slaves history! I bet you have more gems of the same that you pull from an ancient and very secret manuscript
I’d like to know more about that comphrehensive note taking system too Sylvia.
Glad you’ve finally joined up Litlove!